System and method for identifying imaging devices

Abstract

Embodiments described herein facilitate receipt of image data, by providing apparatus and methods for constructing and/or utilizing a database of networked imaging devices. Communication transmitted over a network is identified as being from an imaging device. One or more identifiers, under which the communication is transmitted, are then extracted from the communication. For example, one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses may be extracted. The identifiers are associated in a database with respective physical locations. When a particular area is defined as an area of interest, at least one of the identifiers is selected from the database, the selected identifier being associated with a physical location that is within, or near, the area of interest. Image data transmitted under the selected identifier is then received by the interested parties.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 identifying, via a monitoring apparatus communicatively coupled to a network, communication transmitted over the network as being from one or more imaging devices; 
 extracting, from the communication, one or more identifiers under which the communication is transmitted, the one or more identifiers corresponding to the one or more imaging devices; 
 storing the identifiers in a digital memory, wherein storing the identifiers in the digital memory comprises associating, in the digital memory, the one or more identifiers with respective physical locations of the one or more imaging devices; 
 defining a particular area as an area of interest in response to an indication emanating from the particular area, wherein the indication is an email, text message, or telephone call transmitted over the network by a device located in the particular area; 
 selecting, from the digital memory, an identifier that is associated in the digital memory with a physical location that is in proximity to the defined area of interest; 
 selectively receiving image data transmitted under the selected identifier via the monitoring apparatus; and 
 transmitting the image data to a display for monitoring activity within the area of interest. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein identifying the communication as being from an imaging device comprises identifying the communication as being from an imaging device by ascertaining that the communication includes image data. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein extracting the one or more identifiers comprises extracting one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein extracting the one or more identifiers comprises extracting one or more International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs). 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining the association between the identifiers and the respective physical locations from one or more communication service providers (CSPs). 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 logging in to the imaging device that transmits under the selected identifier; and 
 driving the imaging device to transmit the image data over the network. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein logging in to the imaging device comprises logging in to the imaging device using default access credentials for the imaging device. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising controlling an imaging parameter of the imaging device. 
     
     
       9. Monitoring apparatus for use with a digital memory, the monitoring apparatus comprising:
 a network interface communicatively coupled to a network; and 
 a processor, configured to:
 via the interface, identify communication transmitted over the network as being from one or more imaging devices, 
 extract, from the communication, one or more identifiers under which the communication is transmitted, the one or more identifiers corresponding to the one or more imaging devices, 
 store the identifiers in the digital memory, wherein storing the identifiers in the digital memory comprises associating, in the digital memory, the one or more identifiers with respective physical locations of the one or more imaging devices, 
 define a particular area as an area of interest in response to an indication emanating the particular area, wherein the indication is an email, text message, or telephone call transmitted over the network by a device located in the particular area, 
 select, from the digital memory, an identifier associated in the digital memory with a physical location that is in proximity to the defined area of interest, 
 selectively receive image data transmitted under the selected identifier via the interface, and 
 transmit the image data to a display for monitoring activity within the area of interest. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to identify the communication as being from an imaging device by ascertaining that the communication includes image data. 
     
     
       11. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to, via the network interface:
 log in to the imaging device that transmits under the selected identifier, and 
 drive the imaging device to transmit the image data over the network. 
 
     
     
       12. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to log in to the imaging device using default access credentials for the imaging device. 
     
     
       13. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 control an imaging parameter of the imaging device. 
 
     
     
       14. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to extract the one or more identifiers by extracting one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. 
     
     
       15. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to extract the one or more identifiers by extracting one or more International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs). 
     
     
       16. The monitoring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 obtain the association between the identifiers and the respective physical locations from one or more communication service providers (CSPs).